What I've Been Reading - July 2019

The Cinderella Plan by Abi Silver

Legal Thriller

Published 11th July 2019

Lightning Books

When James Salisbury, the owner of a British car manufacturer, ploughs his `self-drive' car into a young family, the consequences are deadly. Will the car's `black box' reveal what really happened or will the industry, poised to launch these products to an eager public, close ranks to cover things up? James himself faces a personal dilemma. If it is proved that he was driving the car he may go to prison. But if he is found innocent, and the autonomous car is to blame, the business he has spent most of his life building, and his dream of safer transport for all, may collapse. Lawyers Judith Burton and Constance Lamb team up once again, this time to defend a man who may not want to go free, in a case that asks difficult questions about the speed at which technology is taking over our lives. 

Those People by Louise Candlish

Thriller

Published 27th June 2019

 Simon & Schuster

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS YOU'LL LOVE TO HATE Until Darren and Jodie move in, Lowland Way is a suburban paradise. Beautiful homes. Friendly neighbours. Kids playing out in the street. But Darren and Jodie don't follow the rules and soon disputes over loud music and parking rights escalate to threats of violence.

Then, early one Sunday, a horrific crime shocks the street. As the police go house-to-house, the residents close ranks and everyone's story is the same: They did it.

But there's a problem. The police don't agree. And the door they're knocking on next is yours. 

The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne

Psychological Thriller

Published 30th July 2019

Bookouture

My husband has been keeping secrets for a long time. He thinks I don’t know what he does outside of this house. But I know everything… Karla watches silently as Jason hurriedly packs his belongings into a suitcase. She knows that her stillness is unnerving him as she watches his every move from the doorway of their bedroom.

Clothes are screwed up and packed into the case, along with a watch she bought him for his last birthday and his precious laptop. He takes everything from his bedside table. Everything except the framed wedding photo, which now stands alone. Karla strains to see the smiling faces in the photo. If only she knew then what she knows now.

‘I’ve fallen in love with someone else,’ he’d said to her, just moments earlier. The brutality of those words hit Karla hard and she struggled to breathe as she took in each word in turn.

You may think you know what Karla will do next. But you’ll be wrong. Because Karla isn't who you think she is. Only she knows what's about to happen. And you will never see it coming.

The Night You Left by Emma Curtis

Women's Crime Fiction

Published 22nd July 2019

Transworld

IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT TO UNRAVEL A PERFECT LIFE . . .

When Grace’s fiancé vanishes without a trace the night after proposing, her life is turned upside down. But has Nick walked out on her, or is he in danger?

As Grace desperately searches for answers, it soon becomes clear that Nick wasn’t the uncomplicated man she thought she knew. And when she uncovers a hidden tragedy from his childhood, she realises an awful truth: that you can run from your past – but your secrets will always catch up with you . . .

The July Girls by Phoebe Locke

Psychological/Crime Fiction

Published 27th June 2019

Wildfire

Every year, on the same night in July, a woman is taken from the streets of London; snatched by a killer who moves through the city like a ghost.

Addie has a secret. On the morning of her tenth birthday, four bombs were detonated across the capital. That night her dad came home covered in blood. She thought he was hurt in the attacks - but then her sister Jessie found a missing woman's purse hidden in his room.

Jessie says they mustn't tell. She says there's nothing to worry about. But when she takes a job looking after the woman's baby daughter, Addie starts to realise that her big sister doesn't always tell her the whole story. And that the secrets they're keeping may start costing lives . . .

Perfect Remains by Helen Fields

Publication Date 26th January 2017

Published by Avon Books

Crime/Psychological Thriller

On a remote Highland mountain, the body of Elaine Buxton is burning. All that will be left to identify the respected lawyer are her teeth and a fragment of clothing.

In the concealed back room of a house in Edinburgh, the real Elaine Buxton screams into the darkness…

Detective Inspector Luc Callanach has barely set foot in his new office when Elaine’s missing persons case is escalated to a murder investigation. Having left behind a promising career at Interpol, he’s eager to prove himself to his new team. But Edinburgh, he discovers, is a long way from Lyon, and Elaine’s killer has covered his tracks with meticulous care.

It’s not long before another successful woman is abducted from her doorstep, and Callanach finds himself in a race against the clock. Or so he believes … The real fate of the women will prove more twisted than he could have ever imagined. 

Chameleon by Michael K Foster

Publication Date: 7th June 2019

Published by Remo Books

Mystery & Thriller

It was meant to be a harmless adventure…or so he thought.When a ten-year-old boy playing hooky from school sees a young woman’s body hanging from a tree, a man at the scene gives chase. Still recovering from near fatal injuries, Jack Mason is sent to investigate. He knows the boy’s life is in danger, but that’s the least of his worries. There is a much darker side to this investigation, and one that threatens to change many people’s lives. What really happened in the woods that day? What dark secrets was the dead woman hiding? And who, or what, is Chameleon?

The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne #BlogTour #Review @bookouture @SherylBrowne #TheMarriageTrap

The Marriage Trap by Sheryl Browne

Publication Date 30th July 2019

Published by Bookouture

Psychological Thriller

My huge thanks go to publisher Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book and be a part of the promotional blog tour.

Book Description:

My husband has been keeping secrets for a long time. He thinks I don’t know what he does outside of this house. But I know everything… Karla watches silently as Jason hurriedly packs his belongings into a suitcase. She knows that her stillness is unnerving him as she watches his every move from the doorway of their bedroom.

Clothes are screwed up and packed into the case, along with a watch she bought him for his last birthday and his precious laptop. He takes everything from his bedside table. Everything except the framed wedding photo, which now stands alone. Karla strains to see the smiling faces in the photo. If only she knew then what she knows now.

‘I’ve fallen in love with someone else,’ he’d said to her, just moments earlier. The brutality of those words hit Karla hard and she struggled to breathe as she took in each word in turn.

You may think you know what Karla will do next. But you’ll be wrong. Because Karla isn't who you think she is. Only she knows what's about to happen. And you will never see it coming.

My Review:

This is one of those books which appears to begin at the end of the story then goes back to fill in the gaps.  But this one is different.

Jason and Karla's marriage is on the rocks. Jason feels he has no option but to leave but Karla knows more than he thinks she does. Karla's father has never got along with Jason, ever since she fell pregnant at a very young age. Instead of being impressed by Jason standing by his daughter, Robert Fenton has taken every opportunity possible to insult and demean him. But Jason has had enough of Robert's arrogance and decides to make a stand.  Sadly he doesn't realise how low Robert will stoop to remove Jason from his family and is left reeling from the comments his father in law throws at him. The implications of his words have far reaching effects which shock the whole family and even long suffering wife Diane decides that Robert has gone too far this time.
Skeletons come tumbling out of closets and the guilt which Karla has been carrying inside herself for her entire adult life can finally be addressed.

The conclusion to this book certainly took me by surprise - I thought I had everything neatly explained and packaged up but the author hadn't finished with me yet and threw a final bombshell into the mix to leave me stunned by the cleverness of her plotting.  I shall say no more other than this book ticked all the boxes I need in a novel; there's bullying, misogyny, deceit, greed, guilt and infidelity but all of these nasty traits of human nature are slotted into the story and dealt with in a satisfyingly appropriate manner.

I recommend this book whole heartedly if you like trying to work out the secrets and lies which are hidden within a tale.

About the Author:

Sheryl Browne writes psychological thriller and edgy contemporary fiction. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association, Romantic Novelists’ Association and awarded a Red Ribbon by The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies, where she completed her MA in Creative Writing.

www.sherylbrowne.com

Those People by Louise Candlish #NetGalley @louise_candlish @simonschusterUK #book #Review

Those People by Louise Candlish

Publication Date 27th June 2019

Published by Simon &Schuster UK

Thriller

Book Description:

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS YOU'LL LOVE TO HATE Until Darren and Jodie move in, Lowland Way is a suburban paradise. Beautiful homes. Friendly neighbours. Kids playing out in the street. But Darren and Jodie don't follow the rules and soon disputes over loud music and parking rights escalate to threats of violence.

Then, early one Sunday, a horrific crime shocks the street. As the police go house-to-house, the residents close ranks and everyone's story is the same: They did it.

But there's a problem. The police don't agree. And the door they're knocking on next is yours. 

My Review:

'Those People' is a tale which most people can imagine themselves being part of.  Lowland Gardens is the scene of ideal family life for many, with neighbours all getting along famously and the successful implementation of Play Out Sunday where all vehicles are banned in the street so that the children of the area can play outside in the street as they would have done in bygone times without the risk of speeding cars.  The peace and tranquillity is shattered one day following the death of one of its longest residents, when new residents Darren and Jodie Booth move into the street. They couldn't be more different from the house's previous owner an elderly lady who ruffled few feathers and was a pillar of the community.

What follows the arrival of Darren and Jodie is a cacophony of noise and disruption, disrespect and outright rudeness.  As well as untimely home improvements next door neighbours Ant and Em are forced to endure loud music and intimidation late into the night. With a young baby in the house they are horrified at the reaction they get from the local authorities and police when they complain about the noise.  Neighbours from further down the street all join forces with Ant and Em to try and keep the newcomers under control, reporting them to Trading Standards for running an illegal car sales business from the address when the vehicles they are selling online start to spread along Lowland Gardens.  Unfortunately they don't get the support they expect from the local constabulary or the council and are shocked to find the focus being placed on every resident in the street except those living at number 1.  Tempers and tethers start to fray and people start making comments which get taken out of context so when things come to a head everyone is under scrutiny.
Someone on the street knows more than they are telling, but the guilt is a heavy burden to carry - especially when the neighbours they have lived alongside are being blamed for crimes they are not responsible for.
  

This is an interesting study into relationships between neighbours when the cracks start to appear.  Friendships are tested to their limits and accusations are thrown around with little evidence to back them up. Even extended families who enjoyed the closest of relationships up until The Booths moved in start to suspect each other. And when the authorities won't help resolve the situation maybe the only thing they can rely on is Fate.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to review this book.

About the Author:

Louise Candlish is the bestselling author of twelve novels. Her thriller Our House was a number one bestseller in paperback, ebook and audiobook and is shortlisted for a 2019 British Book Award - Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. It has been optioned for TV by Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures, and was picked as a Book of the Year 2018 by the Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Real Simple, the Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Sunday Express, Red and Heat. Louise lives in London with her family. 

The Night You Left Blog Tour

IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT TO UNRAVEL A PERFECT LIFE . . .

When Grace’s fiancé vanishes without a trace the night after proposing, her life is turned upside down. But has Nick walked out on her, or is he in danger?

As Grace desperately searches for answers, it soon becomes clear that Nick wasn’t the uncomplicated man she thought she knew. And when she uncovers a hidden tragedy from his childhood, she realises an awful truth: that you can run from your past – but your secrets will always catch up with you . . . 

The July Girls by Phoebe Locke Blog Tour

Every year, on the same night in July, a woman is taken from the streets of London; snatched by a killer who moves through the city like a ghost.

Addie has a secret. On the morning of her tenth birthday, four bombs were detonated across the capital. That night her dad came home covered in blood. She thought he was hurt in the attacks - but then her sister Jessie found a missing woman's purse hidden in his room.

Jessie says they mustn't tell. She says there's nothing to worry about. But when she takes a job looking after the woman's baby daughter, Addie starts to realise that her big sister doesn't always tell her the whole story. And that the secrets they're keeping may start costing lives . . .

The Cinderella Plan by Abi Silver #BlogTour #Review #TheCinderellaPlan @abisilver16 @rararesources

The Cinderella Plan by Abi Silver

Published by Lightning Books

Publication Date 11th July 2019

448 pages

Genre: Thriller

Book Description:

For James Salisbury the only thing worse than being found guilty… is being found not guilty

When James Salisbury, the owner of a British car manufacturer, ploughs his `self-drive' car into a young family, the consequences are deadly. Will the car's `black box' reveal what really happened or will the industry, poised to launch these products to an eager public, close ranks to cover things up? James himself faces a personal dilemma. If it is proved that he was driving the car he may go to prison. But if he is found innocent, and the autonomous car is to blame, the business he has spent most of his life building, and his dream of safer transport for all, may collapse. Lawyers Judith Burton and Constance Lamb team up once again, this time to defend a man who may not want to go free, in a case that asks difficult questions about the speed at which technology is taking over our lives.

My Review:

There was only one problem I had with reading this book (and this is unlikely to affect many other readers): I had literally just put down John Marrs' novel 'The Passengers' which is also based around the concept of autonomous vehicles and is a nail-biting, fast-paced rollercoaster of a book which had left me with a bit of a book hangover.  Written from a completely different angle from John's book and at a much slower pace, it takes a look at the complex issues faced by the designer and manufacturer of a hybrid vehicle which crashes into a young family.  The vehicle has a manual override option, and the prosecution judge is determined to prove that James had control over the vehicle at the point of impact; James cannot remember the detail of the crash but is convinced the vehicle was in autonomous mode as he never manually drove the vehicle.  The conflict of emotions James is experiencing is heart-rending as he clearly believes 100% in the safety of his product however the fact that things have gone so devastatingly wrong have left him in torment. If the car was in manual mode, James could face prison however if his car is at fault then he loses everything he has worked for and has to face a different set of charges. Whichever way it goes, things don't look good for him.

What James is unaware of though are the ongoing politics among his staff and government ministers who are deciding the future of autonomous vehicles on the UK's roads.  If James's company SEDA can secure permission to release cars in the UK then things are going to be huge for him, as the company can then seek to release vehicles internationally. But the people at the top are not playing fair. Then there are personal issues in James's life which could potentially have influenced the decisions being made. Why was his wife spending so much time at the business premises in areas which she would have no need to be in? Who was she talking to and why?

This is a fantastic book of morals, politics and technology which may not be far away from our roads - it certainly made me think about certain angles to the autonomous vehicle arguments.  The effects on employment in the future - all the lorry drivers, bus and taxi drivers who would potentially no longer be required if the vehicles drove themselves; what happens when a vehicle crashes - the insurance implications regarding fault and payouts; should the vehicles be totally autonomous or is the manual override system essential for safety reasons? Abi Silver has certainly opened my mind to a whole set of issues which I had never considered regarding driverless vehicles and the research she must have done to be able to present such a multi-faceted story is mind blowing.

My thanks to Rachel Gilbey for allocating me a slot on the tour for this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed especially given the purely coincidental timing of reading it.

Purchase Links

Readers can order the book from the Lightning Books website at 50% off (with free UK p&p) if you enter this code at checkout – BLOGTOURCIND

http://eye-books.com/books/the-cinderella-plan

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cinderella-Plan-thriller-topical-Thrillers-ebook/dp/B07R857W32

Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Plan-thriller-topical-Thrillers-ebook/dp/B07R857W32

Giveaway to Win 5 x PB of The Cinderella Plan (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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About the Author:

Yorkshire-bred, Abi Silver is a lawyer by profession. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and three sons. Her first courtroom thriller featuring the legal duo Judith Burton and Constance Lamb, The Pinocchio Brief, was published by Lightning Books in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award. Her follow-up The Aladdin Trial, featuring the same legal team, was published in 2018.

Read more about Abi and her work at www.abisilver.co.uk .

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @abisilver16

Facebook: Abi Silver, Author

 

Follow The Money by David Fuentes #audiobook #Review #FollowTheMoney

Follow The Money by David Fuentes

Audiobook

Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing

Published 27th June 2018

Genre: Fiction

Book Description:

‘Follow The Money: A Tale of Tales’ is a collection of fascinating Novellas that follow the lives of different bank notes on their journeys, as they pass from one person to the next, through London and New York respectively. Both of these bank notes undergo a ...TWIST OF FATE in the second instalment of each story that sends them on a completely new journey into the unknown; so fasten your seat belts and brace yourself for the ride of your lives. YOUR JOURNEY AWAITS...

My Review:

This is my first proper foray in to audiobooks, having previously tried to listen to other titles and finding that I tend to fall asleep.  So, this time I changed tack and instead of lying in bed whilst listening I tried having the book as a soundtrack while I did my chores. Far more successful this time around which I am so pleased about as I really like the concept of the subject of this book. It also helped make doing mundane chores far more enjoyable which is always very welcome.

The author has used the idea of the journey of a banknote from the moment it is issued into open use at the ATM and following it as it passes through the hands of various recipients.  It is a concept that I had discussed with a friend before now but David Fuentes has given his bank note far more exciting escapades than those I had considered.  Some may not be captivated by the idea, but I would say to them: give this book a try because there are possibilities there which I bet you won't have thought of!

Some of the recipients are every day working folk, others have far more interesting 'day jobs'. The methods in which the note changes hands are as many and varied as the people involved and I would say that the average bank note has a far more exciting working life than most of people I know.

If you like books which make you consider the possibilities of things you wouldn't normally be giving much thought to then I think you will really enjoy this.  Also having the British vs American perspective was a nice slant too.

My thanks go to the author who provided a link to the audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review. In doing so I not only got to read a really original, quirky book but also changed my attitude to audiobooks - basically I need to listen whilst in a vertical position because no matter how gripping the book is I just cannot stay awake (I blame my mother reading me bedtime stories hahahaha).

About the Author:

David Fuentes has been successfully writing for many years having achieved sales of his books worldwide. Foremost he has worked in the non-fictional field of promotional marketing with a number of books produced in the “Win Competitions Online” series, helping people to find and win free to enter competitions on and offline. He has now gone on to create this series of Fictional Crime Drama Novellas following the lives of a variety of different bank notes as they pass from one person to the next with future plans to release many more fascinating tales in the future. He currently resides in Hertfordshire, England with his family.

Upcoming Review - The Cinderella Plan Blog Tour

See what other bloggers are saying about Abi Silver's new novel The Cinderella Plan by following the tour:

The Divorce by Victoria Jenkins @Bookouture #BlogTour #Review #NetGalley #TheDivorce @vicwritescrime

The Divorce by Victoria Jenkins

Published by Bookouture

Publication Date: 4th July 2019

225 pages

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Book Description:

They seemed like any other couple 

Josh and Lydia Green. A doctor, and a stay-at-home mother. They met at a party, which led to a dinner, which led to a happy and comfortable life together. They married young, and had children earlier than planned.

Their marriage seemed like any other marriage 

They have their moments, of course – who doesn’t? With Josh working longer hours in the hospital, and Lydia feeling increasingly isolated at home, the strain is starting to show. They don’t talk as much as they used to.

But they have a secret like no other

Not every wife is as scared as Lydia.
Not every husband is hiding as much as Josh.
Not everything you think about them is true.

And this book contains a twist like no other… 

The Divorce is an absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller which will have you hooked until the final incredible twist. Perfect for everyone who loved Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window and The Wife Between Us.

My Review:

Having read the 'blurb' about this book I was interested to see what angle the author was going to take as it's a subject which has been the focus of many a book over the years. I really didn't expect what the book offered, and I very much enjoyed what I read.

We are presented with the scenario of a couple attending their first marriage guidance session.  Josh and Lydia are clearly struggling with their relationship, with Lydia seeming keen to talk things through and Josh a hostile, cool, presence - somewhat smug and arrogant and critical of virtually everything Lydia says.  Counsellor Karen is keen to try and help, encouraging them both to talk honestly and openly about how they see their relationship and the faults they feel need fixing. In this initial meeting she feels very much that Josh is where she needs to focus her attention, her sympathies lying firmly with Lydia.
As we follow their counselling sessions, we discover that Karen herself has had situations in her life which have led to her decision to be a counsellor.  She understands first hand some of the abusive personality traits which can ruin a marriage yet knows that the long term effects of these can be helped with counselling, yet never really go away.
The book then takes a sinister turn, and we begin to see that things between Lydia and Josh are not quite as we have been led to believe. Suddenly Josh seems the vulnerable party in the relationship and Karen suggests he seeks grief counselling to help heal his emotional wounds. The whole dynamic seems to have shifted in a short space of time, and the two parties both seek individual sessions with Karen to discuss their personal issues.
This was the point in the book I really started to take notice of what was being said - and the body language which the author described which often didn't match the words being spoken. The whole story stepped up a notch, both in pace and content. Even Karen herself moved from the stereotypical, hippy-type counsellor to a more gritty individual drawing on personal experience rather than what the textbooks say she should be doing.
The climax of the book really did go off at a tangent to what I was expecting, and I give much respect to the author for smoke screening so well in the early part of the book. I was not expecting that ending at all, and was very impressed with the complete switch of direction.  I haven't read any of this author's work previously but will be looking out for her in future and will be checking out her backlist too.

My thanks to Noelle Holten from Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to discover yet another excellent author and review their work as part of the blog tour.


Buy your copy here:-

Amazon: https://geni.us/B07QS3GPJDSocial

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2VaK4iW

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2UDqLQ8

Googleplay: http://ow.ly/UQC430osfMb

About the Author:

Victoria Jenkins lives with her husband and daughter in South Wales, where her series of crime novels featuring Detectives King and Lane is based. Her debut novel The Girls in the Water is an Amazon UK top 30 bestseller, and top 5 bestseller in the Amazon US chart.

Author Links:

Twitter: @vicwritescrime
facebook.com/victoriajenkinsauthor

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